Man Faces New Charge

DIGEST

A Coral Springs accountant already accused of stealing almost $2 million from the owners of Everglades Holiday Park faces a new charge for allegedly trying to sell a house he did not own.

Abelardo Ernest Cruz, 40, was charged with grand theft after he attempted to sell a Margate home in the 1900 block of Northwest 79th Avenuethat he leased, said Margate Police Detective William Creelman.

Cruz turned himself into authorities on Sunday and was released on $7,500 bond, Creelman said.

Cruz was arrested on March 1 and charged with 214 felony counts for allegedly running various schemes over more than five years to defraud Linda and George Mitchell Bridges, owners of the popular southwest Broward attraction.

Investigators say Cruz also leased a home in June 1989 with an option to buy it. In October 1989, he accepted 2 1/2-months` rent and a $5,000 down payment for the home from Ann Beaty, a Broward teacher, though he was not authorized by the owners to do so, police said.